By : Rully Ibrahim )*
Indonesia holds the mandate to host the 10th World Water Forum (WWF) in 2024. The selection of the host for the event was carried out through the General Assembly of the World Water Council (WWC) on March 19 2022 in Dakar, Senegal. At the 9th WWF meeting, Indonesia succeeded in winning 30 of the total 36 votes from the WWC Board of Governors.
The WWF agenda will be held in Bali, on 18 – 24 May 2024 with the theme Water for Shared Prosperity . The 10th WWF carries six main sub-themes, including water security and welfare; water for humans and nature; disaster risk reduction and management; governance, cooperation, and hydro-diplomacy; sustainable water financing; and knowledge and innovation.
WWF itself is the largest forum in the world that focuses on discussing water issues and looking for global solutions as answers to these issues. Through the World Water Council, this forum will discuss progress and resolution of water problems which will involve government, scientific, technical and advocacy experts.
The implementation of WWF involves the Indonesian government through the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment as chief executive, the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing as deputy chairman, and the Bali Provincial Government and related ministries and state institutions. As host, Indonesia has once again proven itself on the international stage, capable of being a leader in finding concrete solutions to various current global water problems, in particular ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation.
The success of various international events chaired by Indonesia has raised Indonesia’s name and image in the eyes of the world. The G20 Presidency and Indonesia’s Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2023, as well as the success of the 2023 Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum Summit are several proofs that Indonesia is very serious in its efforts to realize prosperity and peace, not only within the country, but for the benefit of the entire world community.
Previously, Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) had asked his staff to properly prepare the availability of infrastructure to support the 10th WWF event. It was stated that tens of thousands of people would attend the event.
Meanwhile, the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menko Marves) and Chair of the National Committee for the 10th WWF 2024, Luhut B. Pandjaitan confirmed that the holding of the 10th WWF, in Nusa Dua, Bali, 18-24 May 2024 will be successful and will be the last international event President Jokowi’s government. Luhut hopes that Indonesia will not only hold the event well, but also provide concrete and maximum results and impacts. Luhut emphasized again that apart from being successful in terms of organization, the event is also expected to provide a legacy and concrete deliverables for Indonesia and the global world.
In the implementation of the 10th WWF, two important events will also be held, namely the Meeting of Heads of State for the Indonesia-Brazil-Democratic Republic of Congo (IBC) Tropical Forest Cooperation, as well as the launch of the G20 Bali Global Blended Finance Alliance (GBFA) including its secretariat. Luhut stated that Indonesia must be able to invite Congo to review industry in Indonesia, not just WWF. Then for the launch of the G20 Bali GBFA including this secretariat, Indonesia must learn from how to build the AIS Forum Secretariat from zero to the success it is now. From this, it will show that Indonesia and especially Bali, has a clean and safe culture and environment.
For your information, the Indonesian Government invited 44 heads of state/government to attend WWF 2024 in Bali. Expert Staff to the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing for Water Resources, Firdaus Ali, said that Indonesia also invited four heads of international organizations and 168 ministers. This forum is expected to be attended by 50,000 participants from various countries.
Deputy for Environmental and Forestry Management Coordination at the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Nani Hendiarti, explained that there were three main criteria that were taken into consideration by the Indonesian Government in inviting a number of countries to attend the 10th WWF. First, namely countries that have cooperation in the water sector with Indonesia. This criterion is said to be a priority. Second, there are countries that often raise water issues in international forums. Third, namely countries that have strategic diplomatic relations with Indonesia.
As host of the 10th World Water Forum, Indonesia has made various preparations, including a kick-off meeting as well as a consultation meeting with stakeholders in February 2023, which was attended by 1,400 participants from 58 countries, and a second consultation meeting last October. Indonesia also participates in various international activities on water to promote this forum to the global community.
A number of international scale activities have become a momentum to show Indonesia’s active role in the international arena, as well as implementing the face of Indonesia’s foreign policy, namely playing an important leadership role for Indonesia in the region and the world.
)* The author is an observer of environmental issues
